Navy worker indicted in fraud scheme

Jul. 9, 2013 - 09:35AM
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GULFPORT, MISS. — A Navy worker is accused of stealing government funds and conspiring to submit false claims to the Defense Department while assigned to work at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport.

The Sun Herald reports that Eduardo Magana has been indicted in a federal investigation of a travel-voucher scheme. A federal grand jury indicted him June 11. His indictment was unsealedlast week. An initial court appearance is pending.

A two-count indictment alleges Magana embezzled money through cash advances and purchases on a government credit card and through fraudulent travel vouchers.

Magana allegedly allowed others to manipulate computer records to create false travel documents for himself and co-conspirators. Seven Navy workers have been indicted.

A separate indictment charges four others with one count of conspiracy. They are Richard Stephen Bellock, Rebecca Clemons Hickman, Brian Scott Carlton and Iralen Jewell.

Jewell notified the court Friday of an intent to plead not guilty.

All the defendants are free on unsecured bonds of $25,000.

The investigation was made public in February after the indictment of two other Navy workers accused of defrauding the Defense Department of more than $139,000.

Fred James Wheat Porterfield has pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge and will be sentenced July 25. Juan Saldivar has notified the court of his intent to accept a plea agreement.

Both worked in logistics support and were indicted on charges including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.